MX23RW : Thursday, March 16 02:40:51| >> :120:19832:19832:
[monks data]
Nov 1, 2022 at 8pm UK at Doosan Arena
Plzen
2 - 4
Barcelona
Chory (51' pen., 63')
N'Diaye (47')
FT(HT: 0-2)
Alonso (6'), Torres (44', 54'), Torre (75')
Gavi (42'), Torre (50'), Torres (90+2')

Barcelona missing eight players for Viktoria Plzen clash

Barcelona missing eight players for Viktoria Plzen clash
© Reuters
Barcelona will be missing eight first-team players for Tuesday's Champions League contest with Viktoria Plzen, including Robert Lewandowski and Sergio Busquets.

Barcelona boss Xavi will be without the services of eight first-team players for Tuesday's Champions League contest with Viktoria Plzen.

The Catalan outfit saw their last-16 hopes come to an end last week, with the club guaranteed to finish third in Group C, which will see them drop into the Europa League.

As a result, Xavi has taken the opportunity to rest leading goalscorer Robert Lewandowski, with the Poland international not making the trip to the Czech Republic with his teammates due to a slight issue.

"Lewandowski has a minor discomfort. He was on the squad list for the match against Viktoria, but in the end we preferred him to rest. He'll be fine for Saturday's game," Xavi told reporters during his press conference.

Ferran Torres could therefore be given a rare start through the middle, while Sergio Busquets is also a notable absentee for the La Liga giants through suspension.

Sergio Busquets in action for Barcelona on September 13, 2022© Reuters

Ronald Araujo again misses out, as he continues his recovery from thigh surgery, while Sergi Roberto is facing a period on the sidelines due to a dislocated shoulder.

Memphis Depay and Andreas Christensen are entering the latter stages of their recoveries from hamstring and ankle problems, but the pair have again been left out of the squad for this match.

Eric Garcia and Jules Kounde, meanwhile, have both been left out of the trip due to the problems that they picked up in the 1-0 win over Valencia at the weekend.

Kounde's issue is not said to be serious, with the defender suffering with muscular fatigue, but Garcia is facing a spell on the sidelines due to a groin issue.

Jules Kounde is unveiled as a Barcelona player on August 1, 2022© Reuters

Marc Casado, Alvaro Sanz, Ilias Akhomach and Alex Valle have all been brought into the first-team squad for the European contest due to the number of absentees.

Xavi, speaking during his press conference, confirmed that both Inaki Pena and Pablo Torre would be involved in the contest with Viktoria Plzen.

"Inaki Pena and Pablo Torre will play tomorrow against Viktoria. We will give minutes to players who haven't played so much so far," said the head coach.

"It's an important game for us. We want to end this competition with a good performance and continue our good form in the league. The match against Viktoria is also an important duel for players who play few minutes and for the youngsters. Every game is an opportunity."

Barcelona have three more games before the season breaks for the World Cup, following this match with fixtures against Almeria and Osasuna in Spain's top flight.

Barcelona squad vs. Viktoria Plzen:

Ter Stegen, Pena, Tenas; Bellerin, Pique, Alonso, Alba, Balde, Valle; Pedri, Kessie, F de Jong, Casado, Gavi, Torre, Sanz; Dembele, Fati, Torres, Raphinha, Akhomach

ID:498398:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6335:No Data Analysis info

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Viktoria Plzen
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Draw
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Barcelona
75.8%
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Barcelona's Ronald Araujo pictured in September 2022
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2Real Madrid25175350193156
3Atletico MadridAtletico25146539192048
4Real Sociedad2513663324945
5Real BetisBetis2512673326742
6Villarreal2511592924538
7Rayo Vallecano259882928135
8Osasuna259792224-234
9Athletic Bilbao2596103327633
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12GironaGirona2586113839-130
13Sevilla2577112940-1128
14Real ValladolidValladolid2584131935-1628
15Espanyol2569103139-827
16CadizCadiz2569102037-1727
17Valencia2575132828026
18Getafe2568112534-926
19Almeria2574142944-1525
20ElcheElche2527161949-3013

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